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Osborne announces retirement

Tom Osborne says he will retire as the University of Nebraska's athletic director effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Osborne, along with university Chancellor Harvey Perlman, addressed reporters at an 11 a.m. news conference in Lincoln.

"It has been a pleasure and an honor to work in the Athletic Department for the past five years," Osborne said. "I hope that there have been some good things that have been accomplished during that time."

Osborne, who will be involved in the search for his replacement, will become athletic director emeritus on Jan. 1.

"It's been a privilege to work with Tom," Perlman said. "The move into the Big Ten could not have happened without Tom's support."

Perlman said he's already interviewed candidates to fill the position at the beginning of the year.

The school said Osborne will continue to be actively involved in athletic department operations through July 30, 2013.

The 75-year-old Osborne is a national icon in college athletics for the run of success his Cornhuskers teams enjoyed from 1973-1997. After serving in Congress and losing a gubernatorial bid, he returned to the university in 2007 to take over the athletic department and oversee the rebuilding of the football program and shepherd the school's move from the Big 12 to the Big Ten.

See reaction to Tom Osborne's retirement

See reaction to Tom Osborne's retirement

Reaction poured out from all over Nebraska and around the world after Tom Osborne announced he'd be retiring at the beginning of 2013.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman: "Tom Osborne is an outstanding athletic director, and he is the greatest collegiate football coach of all time. When he became the athletic director five years ago, Tom immediately restored trust, confidence and stability in University of Nebraska athletic programs. Tom's record on and off the field is extraordinary. Nebraskans are very proud of coach Tom Osborne, and we thank him for his years of service to the university and our state."

Sen. Ben Nelson: "Tom Osborne and I have been friends since we were students at the University of Nebraska and lived in the same duplex in Lincoln. In all those years and in every endeavor he has always conducted himself with honor, integrity, passion and compassion. This humble, soft-spoken man who has national respect, may be retiring as athletic director but he will forever be in our hearts as a role model inspiring generations of Nebraskans yet to come."

Sen. Adrian Smith: "Coach Osborne is a legend not only because of his success as a football player and coach, but also because of his life-long dedication to our state and service to others. During his time in Congress, he was an outstanding representative for the 3rd District. Today, I join all Nebraskans in wishing Coach Osborne the best and thanking him for his leadership, class, and countless contributions to our state."

Johnny Rodgers: "It caught me by surprise. I've wondered how long Tom was going to hang in there. He has done so much for the university and the state, and it's a lot to ask for him to keep going now that he's in his 70s. He needs quality time for himself. He's been a great example and mentor not just for university but the state, United States and college football. He's had such a great run that we're just proud we know him and have been able to experience some of his leadership qualities."

Bill Callahan: "I'm happy for him. The old coach did retire. He's paid his dues. ... He's got such a great love for Nebraska that I thought he was going to probably be there forever. I know his family means a lot to him, and he's very diligent about spending time with his grandchildren and his own son and daughters. ... I think he's a smart man, one of the greatest football, college football, coaches in the history of the game. I've got nothing but great respect for him and wish him well."

Darin Erstad: "I don't throw the word 'leader' around very often. If there ever was a leader, it was him, and is him. So much of what I believe in today came from playing for him. He just stands for everything that is right. It was a pleasure to play for him and work for him."

Many went straight to their phones and computers to offer well wishes and their thoughts on Osborne's retirement.

Carrying on his Husker pride, Mike Osborne runs Best of Big Red, a Husker superstore.

He remembers being the son of Tom Osborne wasn't always perfect.

"There were times when things weren't going so well, and there was public criticism or controversy," Mike Osborne said. "At those points, you feel defensive of your dad."

Mike Osborne remains in his dad's corner following the retirement announcement.

"What makes him a great leader is because he's a servant at heart, and that's what he wants. He wants the best for the program and for the state," Mike Osborne said. "I try to live that way myself, and that's very difficult, very challenging, so I'm very proud of him."

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